Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Yellowstone Season 5, Episode 12.
Considering that Yellowstone opened its final season with the death of Kevin CostnerJohn Dutton, it seemed unlikely that the tragedy would repeat itself so soon. But then again, this is one Taylor Sheridan show, and whenever the filmmaker cooks, we almost always get burned (usually emotionally). Things get even worse at the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch in the latest episode, “Counting Coup,” as Colby Mayfield (Denim Richards) sacrifices himself to save young Carter’s life (Finn Little), only to be trampled to death by a horse. Understandably, everyone in Yellowstone is hit pretty hard – especially Teeter (Jennifer Landon).
Colby’s unexpected death proves that no one is safe on Yellowstone
We should have known something was wrong when Colby and Teeter exchanged “I love yous” on the phone in the opening moments of “Counting Coup.” Although Teeter had told Colby that she loved him before she left for Texas, this revelation was a long time coming on Colby’s part. After becoming an item shortly after Teeter’s arrival in Season 3, Colby and Teeter were well on their way to the next phase of their life and relationship. Even at the beginning of this week’s episode, Teeter mentions that she has plans for her future if the Dutton Ranch goes under. Plans that probably would have included Colby Would he have made it out of Yellowstone alive?
While no one can blame Colby for saving Carter’s life – Beth (Kelly Reilly) even thanks him verbally for his heroism – We can’t help but wish we had seen more of Colby as a man, a cowboy, and a character. Early on YellowstoneThe ranch hands didn’t have much material to work with, but as the show progressed that began to shift and change. In fact, The Cowboys have become one of the best parts of the Paramount drama, with Colby quickly and remarkably becoming a fan favorite. Knowing that Teeter had found true happiness with him – and that Ryan (Ian Bohen) is now without his best friend – which makes this loss even harder to digest.
With many characters, such as Jimmy (Jefferson White), only now learning of John’s death, it feels like adding another adds insult to injury. We get it, ranching is hard, difficult and dangerous, but couldn’t the show have pushed it back a little further? Colby was the perfect cowboy. He was always loyal and a peacemaker, willing to risk his own life for others, especially those he cared about. That’s what happened here with the rescue of Carter, and it’s certainly not the only case. In many ways Colby was one of the best in Yellowstone. Like Lloyd (Forrie J Smith), Ryan and even Rip (Cole Hauser), he was an integral part of the Yellowstone brand (which he wore proudly), and that’s one of the reasons his sacrifice is so damn heartbreaking.
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While Teeter screams in the episode, “I just wish he’d had to suffer a little longer so I could say goodbye,” we also wish this couple could say goodbye properly. It’s heartbreaking considering they will never have the future together they dreamed of, something Teeter is grieving about following the news. In a way, after fighting hard against each other for years, Maybe trading “I love you” is the best scenario. This way, Teeter can remember Colby as she last saw him (the sweet moment the couple had in “A Knife and Not a Coin”). Knowing that he died as a result of an act of heroism (in which he did not suffer) will hopefully ease this loss a little.
Another difficult thing about Colby’s death is recognizing that This is not the first time he has been trampled by a horse. In season three’s “I Killed a Man Today,” Colby and Teeter find themselves directly targeted by longtime Dutton adversary Wade Morrow (Southerland boots) to get under John Dutton’s skin. The two swim in their birthday suits in a nearby river as Wade and his men trample over them, mercilessly breaking bones with the intent to kill. It’s not clear whether Colby or Teeter will survive, let alone recover. When they finally did, we were encouraged to see how these two would find happiness together. But now, after another horse attack, Colby has failed to get out and it’s hard to believe that things could change so quickly. While we don’t know what will happen next, Colby’s death (just like John’s before him) marks the end of an era that will help ensure that Yellowstone ends with a literal bang.
Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 airs Sundays on Paramount Network. Previous seasons can be streamed on Peacock.
A ranching family in Montana stands up to others who are encroaching on their land.
- Release date
- June 20, 2018
- Creator
- Pour
- Kevin Costner, Finn Little, Brecken Merrill, Gil Birmingham, Denim Richards, Ian Bohen, Danny Huston, Kelly Reilly, Forrie J. Smith, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, Wes Bentley, Jefferson White, Luke Grimes, Ryan Bingham
- Seasons
- 5
- network
- Of utmost importance
- Franchise(s)
- Yellowstone
- story of
- Taylor Sheridan
- Streaming service(s)
- Paramount+, Peacock
Watch on Peacock
